As a fan of fragrant art, I have appreciated Tracy’s approach to Fumerie’s curation more and more as my enthusiasm has increased. Whether it be renowned French or Italian brands that are somehow underrated in the states such as Parfum d’Empire, Meo Fusciuni, or MDCI, soon-to-be-wildly-famous masters such as Rania J or Dusita, American underdogs such as FZOTIC, Quartana, or Imaginary Authors, or the hardest to find brands in the states such as Moth & Rabbit or Binet-Papillon- Fumerie has always represented the future and past of fragrance with reverence and open-minded exploration in a way that has continued to drive my enthusiasm for this medium and the incredible artists working in the independent perfume sphere.
Now, in honor of Fumerie’s newest partnership, I am pleased to introduce an interview between Tracy and the perfumer and owner of the newest brand to join the Fumerie curation: Xyrena! This Austin brand is among the most unique we have ever encountered and has been quietly amassing a well-deserved stream of accolades and fans for upwards of eight years via their online shop. We are honored and thrilled to share Killian’s unique perspective and approach to fragrant art with our beloved community as Xyrena’s first-ever stockist! On a personal note, may I just say, FINALLY a brand with some true camp! - Michael
Please enjoy this interview between Tracy and Killian Wells below:
Tracy: You have such a unique and singular approach to fragrance and your brand in general. Would you say your ideas for Xyrena originated as the result of being a perfume lover who wanted to see the types of things you didn’t find already in existence, or did you approach fragrance as a lover of collectibles and pop culture?
Killian: It’s a bit of both. I’ve always loved fragrance, and there were a handful of real-world scents I’d always wanted but couldn’t find, like chlorine, which I incorporated as a main note in “Dark Ride” and “Pool Boy.” I’ve also always been a collector of trading cards, Beanie Babies, souvenir shot glasses, Funko Wacky Wobblers and Pop’s, and VHS videos, just to name a few. With Xyrena, I wanted to marry fragrances with pop culture in a way that’s fun to collect and display.
T: There is a history of attempts at combining the experience of film and smell. The movie Polyester and Smell-o-Vision are a few examples of this. With your love of both film and fragrance, do you have your own ideas of how this might work to the best effect?
K: I love the history of immersive film experiences like Smell-o-Vision and 3D. They paved the way for thinking outside the box in terms of engaging the audience. With Xyrena’s Cinematic Scent Archive, my approach focuses on creating definitive official fragrances for iconic films. Instead of synchronizing scents with specific scenes, I aim to capture the essence of a film in a single fragrance that fans can enjoy anytime. This way, the scent becomes part of the film’s legacy, offering a unique and personal connection to the movie.
T: You have chosen to focus on pop culture and maximalist aesthetics from the 1980’s as inspiration for your fragrances. What drew you to this time frame and would you consider other decades as creative inspiration moving forward?
K: The 80s is definitely my favorite aesthetic, and in my opinion, the most fun. However, my inspiration isn't limited to just that decade - I draw inspiration from the 50s through Y2K. Each era offers a unique style and cultural impact. Moving forward, I’m excited to explore and incorporate elements from various time periods.
T: You have worked directly with movie studios in your process of creating your fragrances. How did you initially contact the studios and what were their reactions to your concept?
K: While movie-branded fragrances are nothing new, creating a cohesive library of them with niche quality and collectible packaging is novel and adds a gravitas that most licensed products lack. The majority of the filmmakers and studios I’ve approached appreciate the potential for these fragrances to offer fans a new, immersive way to connect with their favorite films.
T: When creating a fragrance inspired by a film, would you say the inspiration is more driven by images or an overall “vibe”?
K: It's mostly about capturing the overall vibe that a movie evokes. I choose notes that collectively convey the feeling and atmosphere of the film, ensuring the fragrance reflects the essence of the movie as a whole.
T: A few of your fragrances are directly related to adventure park rides. Is this something that you have a personal affinity for?
K: Absolutely. I love theme parks, and many of their associated scents are very nostalgic to me. Some people thought I was crazy for making "Dark Ride," but it's one of our top sellers. Capturing those unique and memorable fragrances brings back fond memories and allows others to experience that same sense of nostalgia.
T: How would you describe your training in terms of how you came to approach creating fragrances?
K: I have zero formal training, just a good nose and scent memory. It’s very similar to how I’m not a classically trained musician, but I produce pop music and had some minor success in that industry before fragrance. I’ve always felt that education can give you great tools and general guidelines to work with, but you can’t teach creativity. Some of the best art comes from breaking the rules.
T: I imagine you have many requests for movies and pop culture references that others would like to see you create as fragrances. Would you say you have an overall vision for the collection that you draw from or are those choices more spontaneous? Have any of these requests or suggestions turned into releases?
K: There’s no shortage of movies that could make great fragrances, but since everything is officially licensed, it’s really just a matter of the stars aligning from the business side of things. While I do have an overall vision and roadmap for the Cinematic Scent Archive, some choices are more spontaneous based on opportunities that arise. There are some movies on my wishlist that unfortunately may never have an official fragrance due to rights issues or non-visionary gatekeepers. I’m always listening to requests though, and I’m proud to offer a diverse collection of scents—Xyrena has something for every taste and personality.
T: You recently launched a perfumer searchlight program. This looks like a great opportunity for brands like those featured in our Maker’s Residency program and beyond. We think this is so forward-thinking that we simply must convey how impressed we are with the concept. Could you tell us and our community a bit more about your vision for these future collaborations?
K: Thank you! With our searchlight program, we're offering independent perfumers the chance to create official fragrances for the Cinematic Scent Archive and become part of movie history. Rather than collaborating with major fragrance houses, we're giving emerging talent the opportunity to contribute to this unique collection in exchange for sales royalties, credit, and recognition. This initiative aims to support the next generation of fragrance creators and bring fresh perspectives to our brand.
Explore Xyrena’s fragrances here
Learn more about Killian and Xyrena’s history here
Maker’s Residency participants and other perfumers can explore Killian’s perfumer search program here